FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 10, 2011

FASTRAK NORTHEAST & MOV HOPE 3RD TIME IS A CHARM AT TYLER COUNTY SATURDAY; TOPLESS CO-SANCTIONED EVENT TO PAY $1,500 TO-WIN

by Mike Leone
(Middlebourne, WV)…After kicking off the season two weeks ago at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series is set to roll into West Virginia’s Tyler County Speedway on Saturday night for race #2 on the record-breaking 2011 slate. The event will be co-sanctioned with the Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series.

Saturday’s show was to be the second Touring Series event at the Middlebourne “Bullring”; however, rain on April 16 and then again on April 23 for the rain date ruined the Series’ opener, which drew 53 competitors one year ago. Saturday’s event will now be the “Topless 25”.

“We always love going to Tyler County,” expressed Northeast co-Director Vicki Emig. “The events always attract a strong field of cars and Tyler’s configuration and the competitiveness of our cars makes just about everyone a threat to win. We sure hope Mother Nature will give us a chance Saturday so we can complete this show. The first two shots back in April were cancelled in the days leading up to the event due to the wet grounds and 100% chance of thunderstorms both weeks.”

Mike Pegher, Jr. has climbed up the point ladder each year from 14th in 2008 to 4th in 2009 and runner-up last season, and is now poised to make a run at the Northeast title. At the Roaring Knob opener, Pegher won his third consecutive Touring event at the Markleysburg oval and tied defending two-time champion Max Blair at nine for most Touring wins all-time. Pegher of course also took the early Northeast Touring Series point lead and has also won Weekly Series events at Pittsburgh and Sharon.

The April 30 event at the Knob was historic as FASTRAK got to race in front of a packed house with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Thirty-seven cars turned out for the event including 25 of the 50 Northeast Touring Series members. The new FASTRAK Northeast apparel debuted featuring various t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and hats. Some of the new items include beanies and special order jackets. All of this new apparel will be available Saturday night. The 2011 FASTRAK Northeast Fan Guide & Driver Handbook is in the final stages and will be available later this month. These beautiful 120-page books will be sold to the public and given free to each Touring Series competitor.

Meanwhile at Tyler County, Kyle Thomas has gotten off to a fast start winning both shows between all of the rainouts. The Pennsboro, West Virginia racer finished second in the Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series points in 2010. Thomas would love to make it three-in-a-row and capture his first career Touring Series race. Last year’s Touring Series winners at Tyler County included Blair, Mike Blose, and Dusty Hamrick and averaged over 41 cars per event.

“The weather has been very frustrating week in and week out,” stated fifth year Northeast co-Director Mike Leone. “Guys have really been itching to race all throughout the region, but Mother Nature just hasn’t allowed for much racing no matter what night of the week racing has been scheduled on. We had a great opener at Roaring Knob and expect nothing less at Tyler County.”

The Utsinger’s Towing “Hoosier Tire Giveaway” program will resume Saturday night awarding a new FASTRAK Hoosier tire to the driver running last on the lead lap at the finish. New Jersey’s Steve Davis took the honors at Roaring Knob.

The Original Pizza Logs Contingency Connection will again award two $1,000 contingency packages to lucky drivers on Saturday. Pegher and Ricky Meglaye were the recipients at Roaring Knob.

The “Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge Series is back for its second season and will take place at Tyler County provided there are 30 or more cars. Kyle Zimmerman took the top honors at Roaring Knob winning the non-qualifiers event, and now has the early point lead. Justin Kreider is the defending champion.

There have been 55 Northeast Touring Series races contested with 25 different winners all-time in the Northeast Touring Series meaning nearly a new winner nearly every other event. Max Blair and Mike Pegher, Jr. are tied with nine wins a piece followed by Dick Barton, Bobby Powell, John Lacki, and David Scott with four, Alan Dellinger & Steve Dixon with two, and Todd Andrews, Kyle Drum, Frank Guidace, Butch Lambert, Carl McKinney, Dennis Lunger, Jr., Tom Snyder, Jr., Chris Meadows, Jim Frank, Mike Blose, Josh Holtgraver, Robbie Blair, Jonathan Davenport, Gary Knollinger, Joe Martin, Dusty Hamrick, and Bud Watson with one victory.

Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series Points (only Northeast Touring Series members receive points): 1. Mike Pegher, Jr. 35 2. Dan Angelicchio 34 3. Josh Holtgraver 33 4. George Kowatic 32 5. Max Blair 31 6. Bobby Cossell IV 30 7. Butch Lambert 29 8. Troy Shields 27 9. Wayne Robertson 26 10. Rob Marhefka 24 11. Steve Dixon 22 12. Joe Martin 19 13. Shane Hitt 18 14. Bud Watson 17 15. Darren Peters 14 16. Billy Stile III, Kyle Zimmerman, Michael Hughes, Mike Laughard, Mike Opalinski, Rick Strickler, Russell Baird, Jr., Scott Beitzel, Ryan Montgomery, Lauren Longbrake 10.

Tyler County May 14 payoff: 1. $1,500 2. $800 3. $500 4. $400 5. $370 6. $335 7. $315 8. $300 9. $280 10. $275 11. $250 12. $240 13. $225 14. $200 15.$190 16. $185 17. $180 18-24. $175. Bonus Event for non-qualifiers to be held if 30 or more cars paying $150 to-win, $80 to-start. Tow/Non-qualifiers $75.

RACEceivers are mandatory at all Northeast Touring Series events. There is a $75 entry fee. Any tech questions or information on the RACEceivers, call Brad Hibbard at 330-540-RACE.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with hot laps at 7 followed by racing. Pit passes are $26. Adult grandstand admission is $12. Fans arriving between 4:30-5:30 p.m. will receive $2 off adult admission.

Tyler County Speedway is a ¼-mile high-banked dirt oval located at the Tyler County Fairgrounds in Middlebourne, West Virginia. For more information, check out their website at www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com. The track phone is 304-758-2660.

FASTRAK Northeast’s 2011 marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, The Original Pizza Logs, Bully Dog, Contingency Connection, Utsinger’s Towing, and Hoosier Tire.

You can reach co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone at the FASTRAK Northeast office at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. The office is open daily late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. For more information, check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com. Become our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fastraknortheast.